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Homer: I think you might be using too much corn starch. When I add corn starch, I say add it one tablespoon at a time. I like to wisk it in cool water, and add that and mix it in, wait several minutes, then add another only if needed. The recipe for adding the corn starch is strictly dependent on how much water you initially added. The starch is added only to thicken the water. On the lye, the only Red Devil can I have ever found is the 18 oz, so that"s the size I meant. I add enough water to dissolve one 18 oz can of Red Devil lye. If you have lye crystals in the bottom, you need a tad more water. Once the lye is dissolved, add some of your cool water wisked corn starch. ADD IT SLOWLY. The goal is to end with the mixture still a bit runny because as the starch continues to bloom up it gets stiffer. If it stiffens, add more water. Once you get the hang of it, you"ll never look at the directions. I mix it up a quart at a time, and add the starch a bit at a time, but never too much. It should take a few minutes to thicken, but not right away. Getting stiff right away is a sign you"ll have to add some water. On the cost. I don"t know the prices of corn starch in your area, but the box I have here says 89c, and the Lye I get for $4.00, and I think that it make more than a gallon...in fact I think much more. I tried for 20 years to buy Easy-Off at a decent price, but around here it runs $3.00 anytime if not even more than that. I have been experimenting lately using the lye/water with just a smidgeon of corn starch and apply it with a garden sprayer, and it"s been working pretty well, but the pasty lye gravy still sticks and works better on stubborn paints and grease. Hope this helps! Frank Boerger
A.K.A. Frank-in-Tallahassee
70D // 855 // VAC // IHC “Cub”
frank@fboerger.com
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